Fort Smith AR vs Jersey City NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas · Population: 89,496
- Median HH Income$52,692
- Median Home Price$195,664
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+25.3%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Smith
89,496
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Smith
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Fort Smith
36.6
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Fort Smith
11.7%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Fort Smith
61.2%
Fort Smith +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Fort Smith
7.7%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Fort Smith
5.7%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Fort Smith
20.0%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Fort Smith
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 89,496 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 11.7% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 61.2% | 28.7% | Fort Smith + |
| Black | 7.7% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Smith
$52,692
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Fort Smith
$33,991
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Smith
$53,714
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Smith
6.7%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Fort Smith
18.3%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Smith
25.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,692 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,991 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Smith
$195,664
Fort Smith +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Fort Smith
53.0%
Fort Smith +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $195,664 | $664,939 | Fort Smith + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.0% | 28.8% | Fort Smith + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
660
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
2507
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
37.0%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.8%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Smith
19.7%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
15.3%
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
13.5%
Fort Smith +
Jersey City
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Smith
17.2%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.0% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.0% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.3% | Fort Smith + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
61.7°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Smith
45.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Smith
9.5 µg/m³
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Smith
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Smith
18.7 min
Fort Smith +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.7 min | 40.3 min | Fort Smith + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while fort Smith offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $195,664. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fort Smith. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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